Thermal Management for a Compact Electronic Device

ABSTRACT

This application is directed to a passively-cooled electronic device including a housing, a plurality of electronic assemblies and a plurality of thermally conductive parts. The electronic assemblies are enclosed in the housing, and include a first electronic assembly and a second electronic assembly. The first and second electronic assemblies are disposed proximately to each other within the housing, and the second electronic assembly is substantially sensitive to heat, including heat generated by operation of the first electronic assembly. The thermally conductive parts are coupled between the first electronic assembly and the housing, and configured to create a first plurality of heat conduction paths to conduct the heat generated by the first electronic assembly away from the second electronic assembly without using a fan. At least a subset of the thermally conductive parts mechanically supports one or both of the first and second electronic assemblies.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/511,302, filed May 25, 2017, titled “Video Camera Assembly,”which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/594,518, filed May 12, 2017, entitled “Methods and Systems forPresenting Image Data for Detected Regions of Interest”; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/334,172, filed Oct. 25, 2016, entitled “Methodand System for Categorizing Motion Events”; and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/403,067, filed Jan. 10, 2017, entitled “Systems, Methods,and Devices for Managing Coexistence of Multiple Transceiver DevicesUsing Bypass Circuitry,” each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

This application is also related to the following patent applications,each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.        104248-5206-US), filed May 26, 2017, titled “Camera Assembly        Having a Single-Piece Cover Element”;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.        104248-5207-US), filed May 26, 2017, titled “Video Camera        Assembly”;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/606,888, filed May 26, 2017,        titled “Stand Assembly for an Electronic Device Providing        Multiple Degrees of Freedom and Built-in Cables”; and    -   U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/605,503, filed May 26,        2017, titled “Camera.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

This relates generally to an electronic system, including but notlimited to methods and systems for passively dissipating heat generatedby one or more electronic assemblies away from a heat-sensitiveelectronic assembly without using a fan when the electronic system has asubstantially compact form factor.

BACKGROUND

A smart home environment is created by integrating a plurality ofconsumer electronic devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected devices, seamlessly with each other in a local areanetwork and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system toprovide a variety of useful smart home functions. For example, one ormore network-connected cameras are often installed at a venue to providevideo monitoring and security. These consumer electronic devices (e.g.,the network-connected cameras) normally have compact form factors, buthave to accommodate and provide strong computational and communicationcapabilities such that information is processed locally and provided toa remote user in real time to render satisfactory user experience. Suchcomputational and communication capabilities cause heat to accumulate inlocal regions of the consumer electronic devices, and result intemperature increases that could compromise performance ofheat-sensitive electronic components located in the local regions. Giventheir compact form factors, these consumer electronic devices cannottake advantage of many commonly applied heat dissipation mechanisms(e.g., cooling fans and heat sinks with extended fin structures).Therefore, there is a need to dissipate heat generated within a compactconsumer electronic device away from any heat-sensitive assembly of theconsumer electronic device.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for a substantially compact electronicdevice to incorporate some heat dissipation mechanisms that dissipateheat generated within the electronic device away from a heat-sensitiveassembly of the electronic device. Specifically, in accordance with someimplementations of this application, the heat dissipation mechanismspassively conduct heat generated by a heat-sensitive electronic assemblyand/or another heat generating electronic assembly away from theheat-sensitive electronic assembly efficiently without using a fan.Given a compact form factor of the electronic device, the heatdissipation mechanisms are also configured to mechanically support theheat-sensitive electronic assembly, the heat generating electronicassembly or both without interfering with intended functions of theelectronic device.

For example, the electronic device may include an Internet-connectedcamera that contains a plurality of electronic assemblies in a compacthousing and has various capabilities for capturing, processing andstreaming video images in real time. The electronic assemblies of thecamera include an image sensor assembly that is configured to captureand/or process the video image. The image sensor assembly is sensitiveto heat generated by itself or by another system-on-chip (SOC) assembly.To deter a detrimental impact from the heat, two separate sets ofthermally conductive parts could be used to conduct heat generated bythe heat generating electronic assembly (e.g., the image sensor assemblyof the camera) and/or the heat-sensitive electronic assembly (e.g., theSOC assembly of the camera) away from the heat-sensitive electronicassembly, respectively. The two separate sets of thermally conductiveparts are closely disposed within the compact housing while beingthermally isolated from each other.

In accordance with one embodiment, a passively-cooled electronic deviceincludes a housing, a plurality of electronic assemblies and a firstplurality of thermally conductive parts. The plurality of electronicassemblies are enclosed in the housing, and include a first electronicassembly and a second electronic assembly. The first and secondelectronic assemblies are disposed proximately to each other within thehousing, and the second electronic assembly is substantially sensitiveto heat, including heat generated by operation of the first electronicassembly. The first plurality of thermally conductive parts are coupledbetween the first electronic assembly and the housing, and areconfigured to create a first plurality of heat conduction paths toconduct the heat generated by the first electronic assembly away fromthe second electronic assembly without using a fan. At least a subset ofthe first plurality of thermally conductive parts mechanically supportsone or both of the first and second electronic assemblies.

In some implementations, the electronic device further includes a secondplurality of thermally conductive parts coupled between the secondelectronic assembly and the housing. The second plurality of thermallyconductive parts are configured to create a second plurality of heatconduction paths to conduct heat on the second electronic assembly tothe housing without using a fan. The second plurality of thermallyconductive parts come into contact with the first plurality of thermallyconductive parts via one or more separation spots that thermallyseparate the first and second thermally conductive parts. Further, insome implementations, the first plurality of thermally conductive partsincludes a receiver structure (also called “fryer pot”). The receiverstructure is disposed on top of a first surface of the first electronicassembly and configured to absorb a first part of the heat dissipatedgenerated by the first electronic assembly. The second plurality ofthermally conductive parts includes a mount structure (also called“fryer basket”). The mount structure is configured to fit into thereceiver structure and support the second electronic assembly on afront-facing interior surface of the mount structure. An edge of themount structure is separated from an edge of the receiver structure atthe one or more separation spots.

In accordance with another embodiment, a camera device includes a lensassembly, a housing, a plurality of electronic assemblies and a firstplurality of thermally conductive parts. The housing encloses the lensassembly. The plurality of electronic assemblies are also enclosed inthe housing, and include a first electronic assembly and a secondelectronic assembly. The first and second electronic assemblies aredisposed proximately to each other within the housing, and the secondelectronic assembly is substantially sensitive to heat, including heatgenerated by operation of the first electronic assembly. The firstplurality of thermally conductive parts are coupled between the firstelectronic assembly and the housing, and are configured to create afirst plurality of heat conduction paths to conduct the heat generatedby the first electronic assembly away from the second electronicassembly without using a fan. At least a subset of the first pluralityof thermally conductive parts mechanically supports one or both of thefirst and second electronic assemblies. In some implementations, thesecond electronic assembly includes an image sensor array, and the lensassembly is disposed in the mount structure in alignment with the imagesensor array.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various described implementations,reference should be made to the Description of Implementations below, inconjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is an example smart home environment in accordance with someimplementations.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are two perspective views of a camera showing a frontside and a backside of the camera in accordance with someimplementations, respectively.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are two perspective views of a camera module shown froma front side and a backside of the camera module in an exploded mannerin accordance with some implementations, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module shown in FIGS. 2A-2Band 3A-3B in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 5A is a front portion of a camera module that is configured toconduct heat of an image sensor assembly in accordance with someimplementations, and FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the front portion ofthe camera module shown in FIG. 5A in accordance with someimplementations.

FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate an example assembly process for integrating animage sensor assembly 306 in a front portion of a camera module 202 inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of an example camera module having afront portion and a rear portion disposed proximately to each other inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example assembly process for mechanicallyintegrating a mount structure of a front portion of the camera moduleand a receiver structure of a rear portion of the camera module inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 9 is part of a rear portion of a camera module shown in an explodedmanner in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 10A is part of a rear portion of a camera module shown in anexploded manner in accordance with some implementations, and FIG. 10B isa speaker box that is covered by a thermally conductive sheet 330 andfunctions as a heat sink for the rear portion of the camera module inaccordance with some implementations.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATIONS

In accordance with various implementations of the application, apassively-cooled electronic device (e.g., an Internet-connected camera)contains a plurality of electronic assemblies and a first plurality ofthermally conductive parts within a substantially compact housing. Theplurality of electronic assemblies includes a first electronic assemblyand a second electronic assembly that are disposed proximately to eachother within the housing. The second electronic assembly (e.g., an imagesensor assembly) is substantially sensitive to heat, including heatgenerated by operation of the first electronic assembly (e.g., an SOCassembly). The first plurality of thermally conductive parts areconfigured to create a first plurality of heat conduction paths toconduct the heat generated by the first electronic assembly away fromthe second electronic assembly without using a fan, while at least asubset of the first plurality of thermally conductive parts mechanicallysupports one or both of the first and second electronic assemblies. Insome implementations, the first electronic assembly is configured toprovide one or more processors and memory of the electronic device, andthe second electronic assembly includes at least one of an image sensorarray and a graphics processing unit.

In some implementations, the electronic device further includes a secondplurality of thermally conductive parts thermally coupled between thesecond electronic assembly and the housing, and configured to create asecond plurality of heat conduction paths to conduct heat on the secondelectronic assembly to the housing without using a fan. The secondplurality of thermally conductive parts come into contact with the firstplurality of thermally conductive parts via one or more separation spotsthat thermally separate the first and second thermally conductive parts.Specifically, in some implementations, the first plurality of thermallyconductive parts includes a receiver structure (e.g., having a shapelike that of a fryer pot) disposed on top of a first surface of thefirst electronic assembly and configured to absorb a first part of theheat dissipated generated by the first electronic assembly. The secondplurality of thermally conductive parts includes a mount structure(e.g., having a shape like that of a fryer basket) configured to fitinto the receiver structure and support the second electronic assemblyon a front-facing interior surface of the mount structure. An edge ofthe mount structure is separated from an edge of the receiver structureat the one or more separation spots.

Further, in some implementations, the one or more separation spots areequally distributed on the respective edge of each of the receiverstructure and the mount structure. In some implementations, a bottomexterior surface of the mount structure is separated from a bottominterior surface of the receiver structure by an air gap. Alternatively,in some implementations, a bottom exterior surface of the mountstructure is separated from a bottom interior surface of the receiverstructure by a piece of solid thermal insulator. In someimplementations, a bottom exterior surface of the receiver structure iscoupled to the first surface of the first electronic assembly via one ormore first thermal pads that are disposed on one or more hot spots ofthe first electronic assembly. In some implementations, the electronicdevice further includes one or more second thermal pads configured tophysically and thermally couple a peripheral exterior surface of thereceiver structure to an interior surface of the housing. The one ormore second thermal pads is configured to conduct the first part of theheat generated by the first electronic assembly from the receiverstructure to the housing of the electronic device in accordance with afirst heat conduction path of the first plurality of heat conductionpaths.

Additionally, in some implementations, the first plurality of thermallyconductive parts includes a speaker box thermally coupled to a secondsurface of the first electronic assembly via a thermally conductivesheet. The speaker box is configured to absorb and conduct a second partof heat generated by the first electronic assembly in accordance with asecond heat conduction path of the first plurality of heat conductionpaths. In some implementations, at least part of the speaker box is madeof a thermal plastic material configured to absorb and conduct thesecond part of heat generated by the first electronic assembly.Optionally, the thermally conductive sheet is made of graphite. In someimplementations, one or more antennas are attached to an exteriorsurface of the speaker box and contained within the housing. Thethermally conductive sheet optionally includes a cut substantially neara center of the thermally conductive sheet, and the cut has a width thatis less than a threshold cut width thereby reducing crosstalk among theone or more antennas below a threshold crosstalk level.

In some implementations, the electronic device further includes a secondplurality of thermally conductive parts thermally coupled between thesecond electronic assembly and the housing. The second plurality ofthermally conductive parts include a mount structure configured tosupport the second electronic assembly when a first surface of thesecond electronic assembly sits on a front-facing interior surface ofthe mount structure, and the mount structure is configured to at leastpartially absorb and conduct heat generated by the second electronicassembly in accordance with a third heat conduction path of the secondplurality of heat conduction paths.

Further, in some implementations, the second plurality of thermallyconductive parts further includes a front thermal dissipater attached ona front interior surface of the housing and opposite the front-facinginterior surface of the mount structure. The front-facing interiorsurface of the mount structure is thermally coupled to the front thermaldissipater via one or more third thermal pads. The front thermaldissipater is configured to at least partially absorb and conduct theheat generated by the second electronic assembly in accordance with afourth heat conduction path of the second plurality of heat conductionpaths. In some implementations, a front portion of the housing iscovered by a cover glass (which is regarded as part of the housing), andthe front thermal dissipater is attached to the cover glass. In someimplementations, the mount structure is disposed in contact with thefront thermal dissipater, and thermally coupled to the front thermaldissipater.

In some implementations, the second electronic assembly includes animage sensor array, and a lens assembly is disposed in the mountstructure in alignment with the image sensor array. Further, in someimplementations, the front thermal dissipater includes an openingconfigured to expose the lens assembly and the image sensor array toincoming visible or infrared light.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific implementations ofInternet-connected cameras. However, the illustrative discussions beloware not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the claims tothe precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations arepossible in view of the following teachings. The implementations werechosen in order to best explain the principles underlying the claims andtheir practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in theart to best use the implementations with various modifications as aresuited to the particular uses contemplated.

Reference is made in detail to implementations, examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various described implementations.However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe various described implementations may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures,components, mechanical structures, circuits, and networks have not beendescribed in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of theimplementations.

FIG. 1 is an example smart home environment 100 in accordance with someimplementations. The smart home environment 100 includes a structure 150(e.g., a house, office building, garage, or mobile home) with variousintegrated devices. It will be appreciated that devices may also beintegrated into a smart home environment 100 that does not include anentire structure 150, such as an apartment, condominium, or officespace. Further, the smart home environment 100 may control and/or becoupled to devices outside of the actual structure 150. Indeed, severaldevices in the smart home environment 100 need not be physically withinthe structure 150. For example, a device controlling a pool heater 114or irrigation system 116 may be located outside of the structure 150.

It is to be appreciated that “smart home environments” may refer tosmart environments for homes such as a single-family house, but thescope of the present teachings is not so limited. The present teachingsare also applicable, without limitation, to duplexes, townhomes,multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings,industrial buildings, and more generally any living space or work space.

It is also to be appreciated that while the terms user, customer,installer, homeowner, occupant, guest, tenant, landlord, repair person,and the like may be used to refer to the person or persons acting in thecontext of some particularly situations described herein, thesereferences do not limit the scope of the present teachings with respectto the person or persons who are performing such actions. Thus, forexample, the terms user, customer, purchaser, installer, subscriber, andhomeowner may often refer to the same person in the case of asingle-family residential dwelling, because the head of the household isoften the person who makes the purchasing decision, buys the unit, andinstalls and configures the unit, and is also one of the users of theunit. However, in other scenarios, such as a landlord-tenantenvironment, the customer may be the landlord with respect to purchasingthe unit, the installer may be a local apartment supervisor, a firstuser may be the tenant, and a second user may again be the landlord withrespect to remote control functionality. Importantly, while the identityof the person performing the action may be germane to a particularadvantage provided by one or more of the implementations, such identityshould not be construed in the descriptions that follow as necessarilylimiting the scope of the present teachings to those particularindividuals having those particular identities.

The depicted structure 150 includes a plurality of rooms 152, separatedat least partly from each other via walls 154. The walls 154 may includeinterior walls or exterior walls. Each room may further include a floor156 and a ceiling 158. Devices may be mounted on, integrated with and/orsupported by a wall 154, floor 156 or ceiling 158.

In some implementations, the integrated devices of the smart homeenvironment 100 include intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connecteddevices that integrate seamlessly with each other in a smart homenetwork and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system serversystem 164 to provide a variety of useful smart home functions. Thesmart home environment 100 may include one or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected thermostats 102 (hereinafter referredto as “smart thermostats 102”), one or more intelligent,network-connected, multi-sensing hazard detection units 104 (hereinafterreferred to as “smart hazard detectors 104”), one or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected entryway interface devices 106 and 120(hereinafter referred to as “smart doorbells 106” and “smart door locks120”), and one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connectedalarm systems 122 (hereinafter referred to as “smart alarm systems122”).

In some implementations, the one or more smart thermostats 102 detectambient climate characteristics (e.g., temperature and/or humidity) andcontrol a HVAC system 103 accordingly. For example, a respective smartthermostat 102 includes an ambient temperature sensor.

The one or more smart hazard detectors 104 may include thermal radiationsensors directed at respective heat sources (e.g., a stove, oven, otherappliances, a fireplace, etc.). For example, a smart hazard detector 104in a kitchen 153 includes a thermal radiation sensor directed at astove/oven 112. A thermal radiation sensor may determine the temperatureof the respective heat source (or a portion thereof) at which it isdirected and may provide corresponding blackbody radiation data asoutput.

The smart doorbell 106 and/or the smart door lock 120 may detect aperson's approach to or departure from a location (e.g., an outer door),control doorbell/door locking functionality (e.g., receive user inputsfrom a portable electronic device 166-1 to actuate bolt of the smartdoor lock 120), announce a person's approach or departure via audio orvisual means, and/or control settings on a security system (e.g., toactivate or deactivate the security system when occupants go and come).In some implementations, the smart doorbell 106 includes some or all ofthe components and features of the camera 118. In some implementations,the smart doorbell 106 includes a camera 118.

The smart alarm system 122 may detect the presence of an individualwithin close proximity (e.g., using built-in IR sensors), sound an alarm(e.g., through a built-in speaker, or by sending commands to one or moreexternal speakers), and send notifications to entities or userswithin/outside of the smart home network 100. In some implementations,the smart alarm system 122 also includes one or more input devices orsensors (e.g., keypad, biometric scanner, NFC transceiver, microphone)for verifying the identity of a user, and one or more output devices(e.g., display, speaker). In some implementations, the smart alarmsystem 122 may also be set to an “armed” mode, such that detection of atrigger condition or event causes the alarm to be sounded unless adisarming action is performed.

In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 includes one ormore intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wall switches 108(hereinafter referred to as “smart wall switches 108”), along with oneor more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wall pluginterfaces 110 (hereinafter referred to as “smart wall plugs 110”). Thesmart wall switches 108 may detect ambient lighting conditions, detectroom-occupancy states, and control a power and/or dim state of one ormore lights. In some instances, smart wall switches 108 may also controla power state or speed of a fan, such as a ceiling fan. The smart wallplugs 110 may detect occupancy of a room or enclosure and control supplyof power to one or more wall plugs (e.g., such that power is notsupplied to the plug if nobody is at home).

In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 of FIG. 1includes a plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connectedappliances 112 (hereinafter referred to as “smart appliances 112”), suchas refrigerators, stoves, ovens, televisions, washers, dryers, lights,stereos, intercom systems, garage-door openers, floor fans, ceilingfans, wall air conditioners, pool heaters, irrigation systems, securitysystems, space heaters, window AC units, motorized duct vents, and soforth. In some implementations, when plugged in, an appliance mayannounce itself to the smart home network, such as by indicating whattype of appliance it is, and it may automatically integrate with thecontrols of the smart home. Such communication by the appliance to thesmart home may be facilitated by either a wired or wirelesscommunication protocol. The smart home may also include a variety ofnon-communicating legacy appliances 140, such as old conventionalwasher/dryers, refrigerators, and the like, which may be controlled bysmart wall plugs 110. The smart home environment 100 may further includea variety of partially communicating legacy appliances 142, such asinfrared (“IR”) controlled wall air conditioners or other IR-controlleddevices, which may be controlled by IR signals provided by the smarthazard detectors 104 or the smart wall switches 108.

In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 includes one ormore network-connected cameras 118 that are configured to provide videomonitoring and security in the smart home environment 100. The cameras118 may be used to determine occupancy of the structure 150 and/orparticular rooms 152 in the structure 150, and thus may act as occupancysensors. For example, video captured by the cameras 118 may be processedto identify the presence of an occupant in the structure 150 (e.g., in aparticular room 152). Specific individuals may be identified based, forexample, on their appearance (e.g., height, face) and/or movement (e.g.,their walk/gait). Cameras 118 may additionally include one or moresensors (e.g., IR sensors, motion detectors), input devices (e.g.,microphone for capturing audio), and output devices (e.g., speaker foroutputting audio). In some implementations, the cameras 118 are eachconfigured to operate in a day mode and in a low-light mode (e.g., anight mode). In some implementations, the cameras 118 each include oneor more IR illuminators for providing illumination while the camera isoperating in the low-light mode. In some implementations, the cameras118 include one or more outdoor cameras. In some implementations, theoutdoor cameras include additional features and/or components such asweatherproofing and/or solar ray compensation.

The smart home environment 100 may additionally or alternatively includeone or more other occupancy sensors (e.g., the smart doorbell 106, smartdoor locks 120, touch screens, IR sensors, microphones, ambient lightsensors, motion detectors, smart nightlights 170, etc.). In someimplementations, the smart home environment 100 includes radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) readers (e.g., in each room 152 or a portionthereof) that determine occupancy based on RFID tags located on orembedded in occupants. For example, RFID readers may be integrated intothe smart hazard detectors 104. The smart home environment 100 mayinclude one or more sound and/or vibration sensors (e.g., microphone124) for detecting sounds and/or vibrations. These sensors may standalone or be integrated with any of the devices described above.Optionally, the sound sensors detect sound above a decibel threshold.Optionally, the vibration sensors detect vibration above a thresholddirected at a particular area (e.g., vibration on a particular windowwhen a force is applied to break the window).

The smart home environment 100 may also include communication withdevices outside of the physical home but within a proximate geographicalrange of the home. For example, the smart home environment 100 mayinclude a pool heater monitor 114 that communicates a current pooltemperature to other devices within the smart home environment 100and/or receives commands for controlling the pool temperature.Similarly, the smart home environment 100 may include an irrigationmonitor 116 that communicates information regarding irrigation systemswithin the smart home environment 100 and/or receives controlinformation for controlling such irrigation systems.

By virtue of network connectivity, one or more of the smart home devicesof FIG. 1 may further allow a user to interact with the device even ifthe user is not proximate to the device. For example, a user maycommunicate with a device using a computer (e.g., a desktop computer,laptop computer, or tablet) or other portable electronic device 166(e.g., a mobile phone, such as a smart phone). A webpage or applicationmay be configured to receive communications from the user and controlthe device based on the communications and/or to present informationabout the device's operation to the user. For example, the user may viewa current set point temperature for a device (e.g., a stove) and adjustit using a computer. The user may be in the structure during this remotecommunication or outside the structure.

As discussed above, users may control smart devices in the smart homeenvironment 100 using a network-connected computer or portableelectronic device 166. In some examples, some or all of the occupants(e.g., individuals who live in the home) may register their device 166with the smart home environment 100. Such registration may be made at acentral server (e.g., a server system 164) to authenticate the occupantand/or the device as being associated with the home and to givepermission to the occupant to use the device to control the smartdevices in the home. An occupant may use their registered device 166 toremotely control the smart devices of the home, such as when theoccupant is at work or on vacation. The occupant may also use theirregistered device to control the smart devices when the occupant isactually located inside the home, such as when the occupant is sittingon a couch inside the home. It should be appreciated that instead of orin addition to registering devices 166, the smart home environment 100may make inferences about which individuals live in the home and aretherefore occupants and which devices 166 are associated with thoseindividuals. As such, the smart home environment may “learn” who is anoccupant and permit the devices 166 associated with those individuals tocontrol the smart devices of (e.g., the cameras 118) the home.

In some implementations, in addition to containing processing andsensing capabilities, devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116,118, 120, and/or 122 (collectively referred to as “the smart devices”)are capable of data communications and information sharing with othersmart devices, a central server or cloud-computing system, and/or otherdevices that are network-connected. Data communications may be carriedout using any of a variety of custom or standard wireless protocols(e.g., IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Z-Wave, BluetoothSmart, ISA100.5A, WirelessHART, MiWi, etc.) and/or any of a variety ofcustom or standard wired protocols (e.g., Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.), orany other suitable communication protocol, including communicationprotocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

In some implementations, the smart devices serve as wireless or wiredrepeaters. In some implementations, a first one of the smart devicescommunicates with a second one of the smart devices via a wirelessrouter. The smart devices may further communicate with each other via aconnection (e.g., network interface 160) to a network, such as theInternet 162. Through the Internet 162, the smart devices maycommunicate with a server system 164 (also called a central serversystem and/or a cloud-computing system herein). The server system 164may be associated with a manufacturer, support entity, or serviceprovider associated with the smart device(s). In some implementations, auser is able to contact customer support using a smart device itselfrather than needing to use other communication means, such as atelephone or Internet-connected computer. In some implementations,software updates are automatically sent from the server system 164 tosmart devices (e.g., when available, when purchased, or at routineintervals).

In some implementations, the network interface 160 includes aconventional network device (e.g., a router), and the smart homeenvironment 100 of FIG. 1 includes a hub device 180 that iscommunicatively coupled to the network(s) 162 directly or via thenetwork interface 160. The hub device 180 is further communicativelycoupled to one or more of the above intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected devices (e.g., smart devices of the smart homeenvironment 100). Each of these smart devices optionally communicateswith the hub device 180 using one or more radio communication networksavailable at least in the smart home environment 100 (e.g., ZigBee,Z-Wave, Insteon, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other radio communicationnetworks). In some implementations, the hub device 180 and devicescoupled with/to the hub device can be controlled and/or interacted withvia an application running on a smart phone, household controller,laptop, tablet computer, game console or similar electronic device. Insome implementations, a user of such controller application can viewstatus of the hub device or coupled smart devices, configure the hubdevice to interoperate with smart devices newly introduced to the homenetwork, commission new smart devices, and adjust or view settings ofconnected smart devices, etc. In some implementations the hub deviceextends capabilities of low capability smart device to matchcapabilities of the highly capable smart devices of the same type,integrates functionality of multiple different device types—even acrossdifferent communication protocols, and is configured to streamlineadding of new devices and commissioning of the hub device. In someimplementations, hub device 180 further comprises a local storage devicefor storing data related to, or output by, smart devices of smart homeenvironment 100. In some implementations, the data includes one or moreof: video data output by a camera device, metadata output by a smartdevice, settings information for a smart device, usage logs for a smartdevice, and the like.

In some implementations, smart home environment 100 includes a localstorage device for storing data related to, or output by, smart devicesof smart home environment 100. In some implementations, the dataincludes one or more of: video data output by a camera device (e.g.,camera 118), metadata output by a smart device, settings information fora smart device, usage logs for a smart device, and the like. In someimplementations, the local storage device is communicatively coupled toone or more smart devices via a smart home network. In someimplementations, the local storage device is selectively coupled to oneor more smart devices via a wired and/or wireless communication network.In some implementations, the local storage device is used to store videodata when external network conditions are poor. For example, the localstorage device is used when an encoding bitrate of camera 118 exceedsthe available bandwidth of the external network (e.g., network(s) 162).In some implementations, the local storage device temporarily storesvideo data from one or more cameras (e.g., camera 118) prior totransferring the video data to a server system (e.g., server system164).

FIGS. 2A and 2B are two perspective views of a camera 118 showing afront side and a backside of the camera 118 in accordance with someimplementations, respectively. The camera 118 includes a camera module202, a neck portion 204, a spine portion 206 and a base 208. The neckportion 204 has a first end that holds and extends from the cameramodule 202. The spine portion 206 is coupled via a joint structure 210to a second end of the neck portion 204 opposing the first end of theneck portion 204. The base 208 is shaped to rest against a supportingsurface. The spin portion 206 extends from and is fixed onto the base208.

The neck portion 204, the spine portion 206, the joint structure 210,and the base 208 together are configured to support the camera module202 while providing one or more degrees of freedom of motion for thecamera module 202. Specifically, in some implementations, the jointstructure 210 is configured to provide a first rotational degree offreedom of the neck portion 204 with respect to the spine portion 206.The first rotational degree of freedom of the joint structure isassociated with flipping of the neck portion 202 and the camera module202 with respect to a first axis of rotation 212, and the first axis ofrotation 212 is substantially parallel to a planar surface of the base208 that is shaped to rest against the supporting surface. Additionally,in some implementations, the camera module 202 is configured to rotateat a second rotational degree of freedom with respect to the neckportion 204 by itself, and rotation of the camera module 202 at thesecond rotational degree of freedom has a second axis of rotation 214that is aligned with a central axis of the neck portion 204. Referringto FIG. 2A, when the neck and spine portions 204 and 206 are aligned andwhen the camera module 202 is rotated to a nominal position at thesecond degree of freedom of rotation, the camera module 202 isconfigured to face towards a nominal direction. The first and secondrotational degrees of freedom define one or more angles of view for afield of view of the camera 118 with reference to the nominal positionof the camera module 202.

In some implementations, the base 208 further includes an electronicconnector (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B), and the electronic connectoris exposed from a rim side of the base 208 and inset into a body of thebase 210. The electronic connector is configured to receive one or moreexternal interconnect wires 216 that could electrically couple thecamera 118 to an external power supply or other electronic devices totransfer power and/or data. In some implementations not shown in FIGS.2A and 2B, one or more internal interconnect wires are electricallycoupled to the electronic connector, and routed through an interior ofthe base 208, the spine portion 206, the joint structure 212, and theneck portion 204 to couple the camera module 202 to the external powersupply or other electronic devices. Thus, in some implementations, whenthe camera 118 is coupled to an external interconnect wire 216, theelectronic connector and the one or more internal interconnect wires areentirely concealed within the camera 118.

In some implementations, the camera module 202 is configured to capturevideo and send video data to a video server system substantially inreal-time. In some implementations, the camera module 202 optionallyincludes a controller device (not shown) that serves as an intermediarybetween the camera 118 and the video server system. The controllerdevice receives the video data from the camera 118, optionally performssome preliminary processing on the video data, and sends the video datato the video server system on behalf of the camera 118 substantially inreal-time. In some implementations, the camera module 202 of the camera118 has its own on-board processing capabilities to perform somepreliminary processing on the captured video data before sending theprocessed video data (along with metadata obtained through thepreliminary processing) to the controller device and/or the video serversystem. For example, in some implementations, the camera module 202captures video at a first resolution (e.g., 720P and/or 1080P) and/or afirst frame rate (24 frames per second), creates video data at a second,different resolution (e.g., 180P) and/or a second frame rate (e.g., 5frames per second or 10 frames per second), and sends the captured videoto the video server system 208 at both the first resolution (e.g., theoriginal capture resolution(s), the high-quality resolution(s) such as1080P and/or 720P) and the first frame rate, and at the secondresolution (e.g., the processed resolution, the low-quality resolutionsuch as 180P) and/or the second frame rate.

The camera 118 communicates with one or more client devices and a videoserver system using the one or more communication networks 162. Examplesof the one or more networks include local area networks (LAN) and widearea networks (WAN) such as the Internet. The one or more networks 162are, optionally, implemented using any known network protocol, includingvarious wired or wireless protocols, such as Ethernet, Universal SerialBus (USB), FIREWIRE, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), codedivision multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA),Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, or anyother suitable communication protocol.

In some implementations, a video server system is, or includes, adedicated video processing server configured to provide data processingfor monitoring and facilitating review of alert events (e.g., motionevents) in video streams captured by one or more cameras 118. In thissituation, the video server system receives video data from cameras 118located at various physical locations (e.g., inside homes, restaurants,stores, streets, parking lots, and/or the smart home environments 100 ofFIG. 1). Each camera 118 may be bound to one or more user (e.g.,reviewer) accounts, and the video server system provides videomonitoring data for the camera 118 to client devices (e.g., mobilephones or tablet computers) associated with the reviewer accounts.

The camera module 202 includes a housing that encloses at least a lensassembly associated with an image sensor assembly performance of whichis sensitive to heat. A front portion of the housing is covered by acover glass 220. The lens assembly is disposed within the front portion,and configured to receive light that penetrates the cover glass 220. Aspeaker is disposed within a rear portion of the housing opposing thefront portion of the housing. A rear surface of the housing has aplurality of holes 218 coupled to the speaker and configured fordelivering voice messages or other audio. For example, the speaker mayallow a person viewing video from the camera 118 to talk to someonebeing filmed by the camera 118, play music back, etc.. In accordancewith various implementations of this application, the speaker of thecamera module 202 is used as a heat sink, and forms part of a heatconduction path for conducting heat away from the image sensor assembly.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are two perspective views of a camera module 202 shownfrom a front side and a backside of the camera module 202 in an explodedmanner in accordance with some implementations, respectively. Asexplained above, the camera module 202 includes a housing 302 thatencloses a lens assembly 204 associated with an image sensor assembly306. The lens assembly 204 is configured to focus incident visible lighton the image sensor assembly 306, which captures respective colorcomponents (e.g., R, G and B components) of the incident light focusedon respective sensor array locations. The image sensor assembly 306optionally processes the captured video data. The image sensor assembly306 includes an image sensor array.

In some implementations, the camera module 202 includes a system on chip(SOC) assembly 308 that has one or more processing units or controllers(e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, microprocessors, and the like), one or morecommunication interfaces, memory, one or more communication buses forinterconnecting these components (sometimes called a chipset). Thecommunication interfaces in the SOC assembly 308 include, for example,hardware capable of data communications using any of a variety of customor standard wireless protocols (e.g., IEEE 402.15.4, Wi-Fi, ZigBee,6LoWPAN, Thread, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Smart, ISA100.11a, WirelessHART,MiWi, etc.) and/or any of a variety of custom or standard wiredprotocols (e.g., Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.), or any other suitablecommunication protocol, including communication protocols not yetdeveloped as of the filing date of this document. The memory in the SOCassembly 308 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM,SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid state memory devices; and,optionally, includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magneticdisk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one ormore flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid statestorage devices. Memory, or alternatively the non-volatile memory withinmemory, includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. Insome implementations, memory, or the non-transitory computer readablestorage medium of memory, stores the programs, modules, and datastructures for enabling image capturing, data processing andcommunication capabilities of the camera 118. Operations of thesecomputational, storage or communication components in the SOC assembly308 generate heat that needs to be directed away from the heat-sensitiveimage sensor assembly 306.

In some implementations, the camera module 202 includes one or moreinput devices such as one or more buttons for receiving input and one ormore microphones. In some implementations, the camera module 202includes one or more output devices, such as one or more indicatorlights, a sound card, a speaker 310, and a small display for displayingtextual information and error codes, playing audio, etc.

In some implementations, the camera module 202 operates in one of twomodes (e.g., a Day mode and a Nighttime mode) depending on the ambientlighting conditions. Day mode is used when there is sufficient ambientlight to adequately illuminate the scene. Nighttime mode is used whenthere is not enough light to adequately illuminate the scene. In someimplementations, when operating in Day mode, the camera 118 uses theambient lighting sources to illuminate the scene and capturesurveillance video. In some implementations, the minimum lux level atwhich the camera 118 captures video in Day mode is between 0.1 to 1 luxdepending on the color temperature of the dominant illuminant. Once theminimum lux level is reached, the camera automatically switches to Nightmode. Switching to Night mode includes disabling a filter (not shown)and enabling a set of infrared illuminators (e.g., infrared lightemitting diodes (IR LEDs)) 312 to provide illumination for the scene.Night mode is maintained until the camera 118 detects an externalilluminant.

Specifically, in some implementations, when the camera is in the Daymode, a filter is enabled for blocking a substantial portion of the IRcomponents of the incident light. Alternatively, when the camera is inthe Nighttime mode, the filter is disabled, allowing the image sensorassembly 306 to receive incident IR light from a scene illuminated bythe camera's onboard IR illuminators 312 or external IR illuminators.

In accordance with various implementations of this application, thecamera module 202 is passively cooled down because the housing 302 issubstantially compact and may not readily accommodate a fan. The imagesensor assembly 306 and the SOC assembly 308 are disposed proximately toeach other within the housing 302, while the image sensor assembly 306is substantially sensitive to heat (including but not limited to heatgenerated by operation of the SOC assembly 308). The camera module 202is configured to include a first plurality of thermally conductiveparts, such as the speaker 310, a thermally conductive sheet 330, areceiver structure 314 and one or more thermal pads 316. The firstplurality of thermally conductive parts create a first plurality of heatconduction paths to conduct the heat generated by the SOC assembly 308away from the image sensor assembly 306 without using a fan. At least asubset of the first plurality of thermally conductive parts mechanicallysupports the image sensor assembly 308 and/or the SOC assembly 310within the housing 302.

In some implementations, the camera module 202 further includes a secondplurality of thermally conductive parts, such as a mount structure 320and a front thermal dissipater 322. In some implementations, thereceiver structure 314 has a shape like that of a fryer pot, and themount structure 320 has a shape like that of a fryer basket, such thatthe mount structure 320 could fit into the receiver structure 314 andenable a compact form factor of the camera module 302. More details ofthe receiver and mount structures are explained below with reference toFIGS. 4, 7, and 8A-8E.

The front thermal dissipater 322 is attached to the cover glass 220 ofthe camera module 202. Optionally, the cover glass 220 is regarded aspart of the housing 302 when it is assembled onto the housing 302. Thesecond plurality of thermally conductive parts are configured to createa second plurality of heat conduction paths to conduct heat from theimage sensor assembly 306 (which is sensitive to heat) to the housing302 and/or the cover glass 220 without using a fan. The first and secondof plurality of conductive parts are disposed closely to each otherwithin the camera module 202, and come into contact with each other viaone or more insulator pads 324 that thermally separate the first andsecond thermally conductive parts at one or more separation spots 326.Optionally, the first plurality of thermally conductive parts arethermally insulated from the second plurality of thermally conductiveparts via an air gap or a piece of solid thermal insulator 328. Each ofthe one or more separation spots 326 and solid thermal insulator 328 hasa substantially low thermal conductivity that is less than a thermalconductivity threshold. In one example, the thermal conductivitythreshold is set at 0.05 W/(K·m), and the solid thermal insulator 328includes a foam insulation layer having a thermal conductivity of 0.018W/(K·m).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module 202 shown in FIGS.2A-2B and 3A-3B in accordance with some implementations. In this examplecamera module 202, a lens assembly 304, an image sensor assembly 306, anSOC assembly 308, a first plurality of thermally conductive parts and asecond plurality of thermally conductive parts are disposed proximallyto each other within a housing 302 that is covered by a cover glass 220at its front. Optionally, the cover glass 220 is regarded as part of thehousing 302. In an example, the image sensor assembly 306 and the SOCassembly 308 are positioned substantially in parallel with each other.The SOC assembly 308 is surrounded by the first plurality of thermallyconductive parts that mechanically support the SOC assembly 308 withinthe housing 302. The first plurality of thermally conductive partsthermally couple the SOC assembly 308 to an interior surface of thehousing 302, i.e., create a first plurality of heat conduction paths toconduct the heat generated by the SOC assembly 308 to the housing 302and away from the image sensor assembly 306.

Specifically, in some implementations, the first plurality of thermallyconductive parts includes a receiver structure 314 and a speaker box310, and the SOC assembly 308 is sandwiched between the receiverstructure 314 and the speaker box 310. The receiver structure 314 isdisposed on top of a first surface of the SOC assembly 308 andconfigured to absorb a first part of the heat generated by the SOCassembly 308. One or more thermal pads 316 physically and thermallycouple a peripheral exterior surface of the receiver structure 314 to aninterior surface of the housing 302. Thus, the first part of the heatgenerated by the SOC assembly 308 is conducted from the receiverstructure 314 to the housing 302 of the camera module 202 in accordancewith a first heat conduction path 402 of the first plurality of heatconduction paths. In addition, the speaker box 310 is thermally coupledto a second surface of the SOC assembly 308 via a thermally conductivesheet 330. The speaker box 310 is configured to absorb and conduct asecond part of the heat generated by the SOC assembly 308 in accordancewith a second heat conduction path 404 of the first plurality of heatconduction paths.

The image sensor assembly 306 faces the cover glass 220, and a lensassembly 304 is disposed between the cover glass 220 and the imagesensor assembly 306. The lens assembly 304 is aligned with the imagesensor assembly 306 and configured to create a light path for incidentlight. The image sensor assembly 306 captures video data when the lighttravels along the light path and reaches the image sensor assembly 306.The image sensor assembly 306 is surrounded by the second plurality ofthermally conductive parts and the lens assembly 304. The secondplurality of thermally conductive parts at least partially support theimage sensor assembly 304 within the housing 302. More importantly,while leaving the light path for the incident light open, the secondplurality of thermally conductive parts thermally couple the imagesensor array 306 to the housing 302 (e.g., the cover glass 220 or aperipheral interior surface of the housing 302). Stated another way, thesecond plurality of thermally conductive parts create a second pluralityof heat conducting heat conduction paths to conduct heat from the imagesensor assembly 306 to the housing 302. The heat from the image sensorassembly 306 includes heat generated by the image sensor assembly 306itself and/or heat transferred to the image sensor assembly 306 by anyother part packaged in the housing 302.

Specifically, in some implementations, the second plurality of thermallyconductive parts includes a mount structure 320. The mount structure 320supports the image sensor assembly 306 at its front-facing interiorsurface and holds the lens assembly 304 that is disposed in alignmentwith the image sensor assembly 306. The mount structure 320 isconfigured to fit into the receiver structure 314 together with theimage sensor assembly 306 and the lens assembly 304. The mount structure320 is configured to at least partially absorb and conduct heatgenerated by the second electronic assembly in accordance with a thirdheat conduction path 406 of the second plurality of heat conductionpaths. In some situations, a front thermal dissipater 322 is attached ona front interior surface of the housing 302 (i.e., a rear surface of thecover glass 220) opposing the front-facing interior surface of the mountstructure 320. The mount structure 320 is thermally coupled to the frontthermal dissipater 322 via one or more thermal pads, and therefore, themount structure 320 and the front thermal dissipater 322 at leastpartially absorb and conduct the heat generated by the image sensorassembly 306 in accordance with a fourth heat conduction path 408 of thesecond plurality of heat conduction paths. Alternatively, in somesituations, an edge of the mount structure 320 extends to and comes intocontact with an interior surface of the housing 302, and the mountstructure 320 dissipates the part of heat absorbed from the image sensorassembly 306 to the housing 302 directly in accordance with a fifth heatconduction path 410 of the second plurality of heat conduction paths.

The second plurality of thermally conductive parts come into contactwith the first plurality of thermally conductive parts via one or moreinsulator pads 324 that thermally separate the first and secondthermally conductive parts at one or more separation spots 326.Specifically, while sitting within the receiver structure 314, the mountstructure 320 comes into contact with the mount structure 320 via one ormore insulator pads 324, which thereby thermally insulate the first andsecond thermally conductive parts at the one or more separation spots326. More specifically, in some implementations, an edge of the mountstructure 320 is separated from an edge of the receiver structure 314 atthe one or more separation spots 326. Alternatively, in someimplementations, the first plurality of thermally conductive parts isthermally insulated from the second plurality of thermally conductiveparts by an air gap 414 or a piece of solid thermal insulator 328 (notshown). The solid thermal insulator 328 is therefore disposed between abottom interior surface of the receiver structure 314 and a bottomexterior surface of the mount structure 320.

It is noted that various optical, electronic and thermal components ofthe camera module 202 are disposed closely to each other and can beaccommodated within the housing 302 that has a compact form factor.Although an electronic assembly of the camera module 202 could besubstantially sensitive to a temperature increase (e.g., overseeunacceptable performance degradation when the temperature increasesbeyond 75° C.), thermally conductive components could be arranged tosurround the heat-sensitive electronic assembly and a heat generatingelectronic assembly separately, thereby creating heat conduction pathsto direct heat away from the heat-sensitive electronic assembly and tothe housing 302. In some implementations, a substantial portion of theheat generated by the electronic assemblies of the camera module 202 isdirected to the housing 302 via the heat conduction paths 402-410 at afast rate, such that the temperature increase of the image sensorassembly 306 is controlled under a predetermined tolerance (e.g., 25°C.).

FIG. 5A is a front portion 500 of a camera module 202 that is configuredto conduct heat of an image sensor assembly in accordance with someimplementations, and FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the front portion500 of the camera module 202 shown in FIG. 5A in accordance with someimplementations. In this front portion 500 of the camera module 202, animage sensor assembly 306 and a lens assembly 304 are enclosed within amount structure 320 by a cover glass 220. The lens assembly 304 isaligned with the image sensor assembly 306 and configured to directincident light thereto. The image sensor assembly 320 is fixed onto afront-facing interior surface of the mount structure 320, and sits on athermal pad 502 that conducts heat from the image sensor assembly 306 tothe mount structure 320. A front thermal dissipater 322 is attached to afront interior surface of the housing 302 (e.g., a rear surface of thecover glass 220), and opposes the front-facing interior surface of themount structure 320. Optionally, the mount structure 320 includes one ormore protrusions 504. The one or more protrusions 504 are thermallycoupled to the front thermal dissipater 322 via one or more thermal pads506, thereby passing the heat absorbed from the image sensor assembly306 to the front heat dissipater 322 and the cover glass 220. In someimplementations, an edge 508 of the mount structure 320 is thermallycoupled to an interior surface of the housing 302 to dissipate part ofthe heat absorbed from the image sensor assembly 306 to the housing 302directly without passing through the front thermal dissipater 322 (e.g.,along the heat conduction path 410 shown in FIG. 4).

The thermal pad 502 is configured to couple the image sensor assembly306 and the mount structure 320, and conduct the heat generated by theimage sensor assembly 306 to the mount structure 320 at a substantiallyfast rate. By these means, the heat generated by the image sensorassembly 306 does not cause hot regions locally on the image sensorassembly 306 or comprise its performance for capturing optical signalsand pre-processing image data associated with the captured opticalsignals. The thermal pad 502 is made of a thermally conductive materialhaving a substantially high thermal conductivity and a substantially lowthermal resistance. In an example, the thermal pad 502 includes thermalgel having a thermal conductivity greater than 1 W/(m·K), e.g., athermal conductivity of 3.5 W/(m·K).

The front thermal dissipater 322 is configured to spread the heatabsorbed from the mount structure 320 over a substantially large area ofthe cover glass 220 (e.g., 80% of the entire area of the cover glass220), thereby taking better advantage of the area of the cover glass 220for dissipating the heat to the ambient from a front of the housing 302.In some implementations, the front thermal dissipater 322 overlaps withan entire front interior surface of the housing 302 except for leavingan opening at its center for exposing the lens assembly 304 to incidentlight (e.g., incoming visible or infrared light). For these reasons, thefront thermal dissipater 322 is made of a thermally conductive materialhaving a substantially high thermal conductivity and a substantially lowthermal resistance. An example front thermal dissipater 322 is made ofgraphite having a thermal conductivity greater than 100 W/(m·K), e.g., athermal conductivity of 1200 W/(m·K), and a thickness of 0.04 mm.

Further, in some implementations, the front portion 500 of the cameramodule 202 includes a set of IR illuminators 312 that is placed withinan IR illuminator assembly 510. The IR illuminator assembly 510 facestowards the front of the camera module 202, and is configured to supportthe IR illuminators 312 and modulate a field of view of the cameramodule 202 illuminated by the IR illuminators 332. Specifically, the IRilluminator assembly 510 is disposed close to an edge of the cover glass220 without interfering light incident on the lens assembly 304 and theimage sensor assembly 306. In some implementations, the front thermaldissipater 322 is shaped (e.g., has an opening) to expose the set of IRilluminators 312 to the front of the camera module 202.

The thermal pads 506 couple the mount structure 320 and the front heatdissipater 322, and are configured to conduct the heat absorbed by themount structure 320 to the front heat dissipater 322 and the cover glass220, such that the cover glass 220 could dissipate the heat to theambient from the front side of the housing 302. The thermal pads 506 aremade of a thermally conductive material having a substantially highthermal conductivity (e.g., 1-10 W/(m·K)) and a substantially lowthermal resistance. In some implementations, the thermal pads 506compensates thermal stresses and mismatches that incur to the frontthermal dissipater 322 and the mount structure 320 due to a temperatureincrease. The thermal pads 506 function as an interface that toleratescompression beyond a portion of its original thickness (e.g., ≥50% ofits original thickness), thereby controlling pressures on the frontthermal dissipater 322, the cover glass 220 and the mount structure 320.Example thermal pads 506 have a thermal conductivity greater than 1W/(m·K), e.g., a thermal conductivity of 3 W/(m·K), and a thickness of1.02 mm.

FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate an example assembly process 600 for integratingan image sensor assembly 306 in a front portion 500 of a camera module202 in accordance with some implementations. The thermal pad 502 isdisposed (602) on a front-facing interior surface of the mount structure320. The image sensor assembly 306 is mounted (604) on top of thefront-facing interior surface of the mount structure 320 via the thermalpad 502, and the lens assembly 304 is disposed in the mount structure320 in alignment with the image sensor assembly 306. In someimplementations, the thermal pad 502 is made of a thermally conductivematerial (e.g., thermal gel) that thermally couples the image sensorassembly 306 and the mount structure 320 while mechanically holding theimage sensor assembly 306 onto the mount structure 320. Further, in someimplementations, the mount structure 320 includes one or moreprotrusions 504. One or more thermal pads 506 are disposed (606) on theone or more protrusions 502. Then, the front thermal dissipater 322comes into contact (608) with the mount structure 320 via the one ormore thermal pads 506, thereby being thermally coupled to the mountstructure 320 via the one or more thermal pads 506. The cover glass 220is attached (610) onto the front thermal dissipater 322, leaving atransparent opening to expose the lens assembly to incoming light.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of an example camera module 202having a front portion 500 and a rear portion 702 disposed proximatelyto each other in accordance with some implementations. FIG. 8illustrates an example assembly process 800 for mechanically integratinga mount structure 320 of a front portion 500 of the camera module 202and a receiver structure 314 of a rear portion 702 of the camera module202 in accordance with some implementations. Referring to FIG. 7, thefront portion 500 is enclosed between the mount structure 320 and acover glass 220 (which is regarded as part of the housing 302 in thisapplication). The lens assembly 304 in the front portion 500 of thecamera module 202 is visible from the cover glass 220, and is configuredto receive incident light (e.g., incoming visible or infrared light)through the cover glass 220.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8E, in some implementations, the mount structure320 and the receiver structure 314 have respective shapes that matchwith each other, such that the mount structure 320 can substantially sitwithin the receiver structure 314. For example, the mount structure 320has a shape of a fryer basket, and the receiver structure 314 has ashape of a fryer pot configured for receiving the fryer basket. An edge704 of the mount structure 320 extends above and is not enclosed withinthe receiver structure 314. Optionally, the edge 704 of the mountstructure 320 comes into contact with an interior surface of the housing302, and dissipates part of heat absorbed by the mount structure 320 tothe housing 302.

In some implementations, the edge 704 of the mount structure 320 isfixed to an edge of the receiver structure 314, but separated from theedge of the receiver structure 314 at one or more separation spots 326.Specifically, the edge 704 of the mount structure 320 is mechanicallyfixed onto the edge of the receiver structure 314 at the one or moreseparation spots using fasteners (e.g., a screw 706), while a respectiveinsulator pad 324 is placed at each of the one or more separation spots326 to thermally insulate the mount structure 320 and the receiverstructure 314. In some implementations, referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B,the one or more separation spots 328 are equally distributed on therespective edge of each of the receiver structure 314 and the mountstructure 320. In some implementations, alternative separation spots arelocated between a bottom interior surface of the receiver structure 314and a bottom exterior surface of the mount structure 320. Optionally,the mount structure 320 is mechanically fixed onto the receiverstructure 314 at the alternative separation spots using fasteners, whilea respective insulator pad 324′ is placed at each of the alternativeseparation spots to thermally insulate the mount structure 320 and thereceiver structure 314.

Further, in some implementations, a solid thermal insulator 328 isdisposed between the bottom interior surface of the receiver structure314 and the bottom exterior surface of the mount structure 320 tothermally insulate the mount structure 320 and the receiver structure314. Additionally, in some implementations, one or more thermalinsulators 802 are disposed between the edge 704 of the mount structure320 and the edge of the receiver structure 314 to thermally insulate themount structure 320 and the receiver structure 314.

In some implementations, the receiver structure 314 has a height h thatcovers a substantial portion (e.g., greater than 60%) of the interiorsurface of the housing 302. The receiver structure 314 could contain themount structure 320 to maintain a substantially compact form factor, andprovide a sufficiently large area for dissipating heat absorbed by thereceiver structure 314 to the interior surface of the housing 302.Additionally, in some implementations, one or more thermal pads 316 areapplied to thermally couple a peripheral exterior surface of thereceiver structure 314 to the interior surface of the housing 302. Thethermal pads 316 are made of a thermally conductive material having asubstantially high thermal conductivity and a substantially low thermalresistance. In an example, the thermal pads 316 have a thermalconductivity greater than 1 W/(m·K), e.g., a thermal conductivity of 2.8W/(m·K), and a thickness of 1.70 mm.

The rear portion 702 of the camera module 202 further includes a heatgenerating electronic assembly 308 (e.g., an SOC assembly). The receiverstructure 314 is disposed proximately to a first surface of the heatgenerating electronic assembly 308 to absorb heat generated by theelectronic assembly 308 from its first surface and direct the heat tothe interior surface of the housing 302. In some implementations, theheat generating electronic assembly 308 includes a second surfaceopposing the first surface, and generates heat from the second surfaceas well. A heat sink (e.g., a speaker box 310) is disposed between thesecond surface of the heat generating electronic assembly 308 and theinterior surface of the housing 302. The heat sink is configured toabsorb and conduct part of heat generated by the SOC assembly 308.Optionally, two of the receiver structure 314, the heat generatingelectronic assembly 308 and the heat sink 310 are coupled to each otherusing one or more fasteners (e.g., screws 708A and 708B). More detailson the heat sink configured from the speaker box 310 of the cameramodule 202 are explained below with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 9 is part of a rear portion 900 of a camera module 202 shown in anexploded manner in accordance with some implementations. In the rearportion 702, a bottom exterior surface of a receiver structure 314 isdisposed proximately to a first surface of a heat generating electronicassembly (e.g., an SOC assembly 308) to absorb heat generated by theelectronic assembly from its first surface. Specifically, the SOCassembly 308 is configured to provide a subset of power managementcircuit, communication interfaces, one or more processors, and memory toenable data processing and communication of the camera module 202. Insome implementations, the bottom exterior surface of the receiverstructure 314 is coupled to the first surface of the SOC assembly 308via one or more thermal pads 902. The one or more thermal pads 902 areoptionally disposed on one or more hot spots of the SOC assembly 308(e.g., where the CPU is located) to absorb heat from the one or more hotspots and conduct the heat to the receiver structure 314. The thermalpads 902 are made of a thermally conductive material having asubstantially high thermal conductivity and a substantially low thermalresistance. In an example, the thermal pads 902 have a thermalconductivity greater than 1 W/(m·K), e.g., a thermal conductivity of 3W/(m·K), and a thickness of 0.75 mm. In some implementations, thethermal pads 902 are made from a soft silicone based thermallyconductive gap filler that has desirable thermal and compressioncharacteristics. In an example, a CPU is integrated on the secondsurface of the SOC assembly, the heat generated by the CPU is conductedto the receiver structure 314, dissipated to the ambient from aperipheral side of the camera module 202.

FIG. 10A is part of a rear portion 1000 of a camera module 202 shown inan exploded manner in accordance with some implementations, and FIG. 10Bis a speaker box 310 that is covered by a thermally conductive sheet 330and functions as a heat sink for the rear portion 702 of the cameramodule 202 in accordance with some implementations. The speaker box 310is at least partially made of thermal plastics having a substantiallyhigh thermal conductivity and a substantially low thermal resistance.One or more thermal pads 902′ are optionally disposed on one or more hotspots of the SOC assembly 308 to absorb heat from one or more hot spots,and conduct the heat to the speaker box 310. The thermal pads 902′ aremade of a thermally conductive material having a substantially highthermal conductivity and a substantially low thermal resistance. In anexample, the thermal pads 902′ have a thermal conductivity greater than1 W/(m·K), e.g., a thermal conductivity of 5 W/(m·K), and a thickness of1 mm. In some implementations, the thermal pads 902 is made from a softsilicone based thermally conductive gap filler that has desirablethermal and compression characteristics. It is noted that the thermalpads 902 or 902′ optionally include thermal gel that coats one or morehot spots on the first or second surface of the SOC assembly 314.

In some implementations, a thermally conductive sheet 330 is attached toa front surface of the speaker box 310. The thermally conductive sheet330 is configured to spread the heat absorbed from the SOC assembly 314over a substantially large area of the front surface of the speaker box310 (e.g., >80% of the front surface), thereby taking advantage of thearea of the speaker box 310 to dissipate the heat to the ambient from arear side of the housing 302. The thermally conductive sheet 330 is madeof a thermally conductive material having a substantially high thermalconductivity (e.g., 1-1000 W/(m·K)) and a substantially low thermalresistance. An example thermally conductive sheet 330 is made ofgraphite having a thermal conductivity of 600 W/(m·K) and a thickness of0.127 mm. In another example, the CPU is integrated on the secondsurface of the SOC assembly, the heat generated by the CPU is conductedto the speaker box 310 via the thermally conductive sheet 330,dissipated to the ambient from the rear side of the camera module 202.

In some implementations, referring to FIGS. 3A-3B and 7, one or moreantennas 340 are attached to an exterior surface of the speaker box 314and contained within the housing 302. The thermally conductive sheet 330includes a cut 1002 substantially near a center of the thermallyconductive sheet 330, and the cut has a width that is less than athreshold cut width thereby reducing crosstalk among the one or moreantennas 340 below a threshold crosstalk level (e.g., to achieve ≥10 dBisolation). In some implementations, the one or more antennas 340includes a first number of antennas. The thermally conductive sheet 330includes a second number of cuts arranged according to locations of theone or more antennas 340. The first number is optionally greater thanthe second number. In some implementations, the first number is greaterthan the second number by 1.

In an example, the thermally conductive sheet 330 is made of graphitethat is both thermally and electrically conductive. When the thermallyconductive sheet 330 made of graphite is placed on the front surface ofthe speaker box 310 (i.e., near the one or more antennas 340), it cancreate a coupling medium and degrade isolation among the one or moreantennas 340, thereby compromising antenna efficiency and potentiallydamaging communication circuitry in the SOC assembly 308. In someimplementations, the thermally conductive sheet 330 made of graphite isplaced on top of a shield can (a speaker box 310 that is properlyshielded under the thermally conductive sheet 330). Any coupling currentflowing on the thermally conductive sheet 330 made of graphite iscancelled with its image current formed on the other side of the shieldcan. The thermally conductive sheet 330 made of graphite therefore doesnot have any impact on the one or more antennas 340. Alternatively, theone or more antennas 340 have a first spatial distance between eachantenna and a second spatial distance from each of the one or moreantennas 340. Each of the first and second spatial distances iscontrolled beyond a respective spatial threshold to protect an antenna340 from cross coupling with another antenna 340 and with the thermallyconductive sheet 330 made of graphite.

In accordance with some implementations of this application, a small cutis created near the center of the thermally conductive sheet 330 made ofgraphite, separating the thermally conductive sheet 330 into two pieces.The location of the cut is chosen so each piece of the thermallyconductive sheet 330 can still make contact to the thermal pads 902′.The width of the cut is controlled to increase both a surface area ofthe thermally conductive sheet 330 and a contact area between thethermally conductive sheet 330 and the thermal pads 902′. The cutessentially break a coupling channel among the one or more antennas 340,thus increasing the isolation among them and restoring efficiency foreach antenna. In an example, the cut is located in the middle of thethermally conductive sheet 330, and a temperature increase of 1.6° C. ismeasured on the thermally conductive sheet 330. Despite the cut, theheat absorbed from the second surface of the SOC assembly 314 issubstantially evenly distributed to the entire thermally conductivesheet 330.

Each of the first plurality of thermally conductive parts and the secondplurality of thermally conductive parts has a substantially high thermalconductivity. Stated another way, the substantially high thermalconductivity of each thermally conductive part is greater than arespective thermal conductivity threshold (e.g., 1 W/(m·K) and 100W/(m·K)). Examples are provided for some of the thermally conductiveparts, and the specific thermal conductivities and thicknesses in theexamples of the thermally conductive parts are not intended to limit thespecific thermal conductivities and thicknesses to the given examples.For example, the thermal pads 316 have a thermal conductivity of 2.8W/(m·K), and a thickness of 1.70 mm. The thermal pads 316 may still havea thermal conductivity of 1.5 W/(m·K), 3 W/(m·K), 4 W/(m·K), 5 W/(m·K),100 W/(m·K), or anywhere in between, and the thickness may be 1.4 mm,1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, etc.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are,in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element from another. For example, a first surfacecan be termed a second surface, and, similarly, a second surface can betermed a first surface, without departing from the scope of the variousdescribed implementations. The first surface and the second surface areboth surfaces, but they are not the same surface.

The terminology used in the description of the various describedimplementations herein is for the purpose of describing particularimplementations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in thedescription of the various described implementations and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,structures and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, structures, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when”or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting”or “in accordance with a determination that,” depending on the context.Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated conditionor event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event]” or “in accordance with a determination that [astated condition or event] is detected,” depending on the context.

It is to be appreciated that “smart home environments” may refer tosmart environments for homes such as a single-family house, but thescope of the present teachings is not so limited. The present teachingsare also applicable, without limitation, to duplexes, townhomes,multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings,industrial buildings, and more generally any living space or work space.

It is noted that the assemblies described herein are exemplary and arenot intended to be limiting. For example, any dimensions, shapes,styles, and/or materials described herein are exemplary and are notintended to be limiting. Drawings are not to scale. For brevity,features or characters described in association with someimplementations may not necessarily be repeated or reiterated whendescribing other implementations. Even though it may not be explicitlydescribed therein, a feature or characteristic described in associationwith some implementations may be used by other implementations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A passively-cooled electronic device, comprising:a housing; a plurality of electronic assemblies enclosed in the housing,including a first electronic assembly and a second electronic assembly,wherein the first and second electronic assemblies are disposedproximately to each other within the housing, and the second electronicassembly is substantially sensitive to heat, including heat generated byoperation of the first electronic assembly; and a first plurality ofthermally conductive parts coupled between the first electronic assemblyand the housing, wherein the first plurality of thermally conductiveparts are configured to create a first plurality of heat conductionpaths to conduct the heat generated by the first electronic assemblyaway from the second electronic assembly without using a fan, and atleast a subset of the first plurality of thermally conductive partsmechanically supports one or both of the first and second electronicassemblies.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: asecond plurality of thermally conductive parts thermally coupled betweenthe second electronic assembly and the housing, wherein the secondplurality of thermally conductive parts are configured to create asecond plurality of heat conduction paths to conduct heat on the secondelectronic assembly to the housing without using a fan, and come intocontact with the first plurality of thermally conductive parts via oneor more separation spots that thermally separate the first and secondthermally conductive parts.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein: the first plurality of thermally conductive parts includes areceiver structure, wherein the receiver structure is disposed on top ofa first surface of the first electronic assembly and configured toabsorb a first part of the heat dissipated generated by the firstelectronic assembly; the second plurality of thermally conductive partsincludes a mount structure, wherein the mount structure is configured tofit into the receiver structure and support the second electronicassembly on a front-facing interior surface of the mount structure; andan edge of the mount structure is separated from an edge of the receiverstructure at the one or more separation spots.
 4. The electronic deviceof claim 3, wherein the one or more separation spots are equallydistributed on the respective edge of each of the receiver structure andthe mount structure.
 5. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein abottom exterior surface of the mount structure is separated from abottom interior surface of the receiver structure by an air gap.
 6. Theelectronic device of claim 3, wherein a bottom exterior surface of themount structure is separated from a bottom interior surface of thereceiver structure by a piece of solid thermal insulator.
 7. Theelectronic device of claim 3, wherein a bottom exterior surface of thereceiver structure is coupled to the first surface of the firstelectronic assembly via one or more first thermal pads that are disposedon one or more hot spots of the first electronic assembly.
 8. Theelectronic device of claim 3, further comprising: one or more secondthermal pads configured to physically and thermally couple a peripheralexterior surface of the receiver structure to an interior surface of thehousing, the one or more second thermal pads being configured to conductthe first part of the heat generated by the first electronic assemblyfrom the receiver structure to the housing of the electronic device inaccordance with a first heat conduction path of the first plurality ofheat conduction paths.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thefirst electronic assembly is configured to provide one or moreprocessors and memory of the electronic device, and the secondelectronic assembly includes at least one of an image sensor array and agraphics processing unit.
 10. A camera device, comprising: a lensassembly; a housing that encloses the lens assembly; a plurality ofelectronic assemblies enclosed in the housing, including a firstelectronic assembly and a second electronic assembly, wherein the firstand second electronic assemblies are disposed proximately to each otherwithin the housing, and the second electronic assembly is substantiallysensitive to heat, including heat generated by operation of the firstelectronic assembly; and a first plurality of thermally conductive partscoupled between the first electronic assembly and the housing, whereinthe first plurality of thermally conductive parts are configured tocreate a first plurality of heat conduction paths to conduct the heatgenerated by the first electronic assembly away from the secondelectronic assembly without using a fan, and at least a subset of thefirst plurality of thermally conductive parts mechanically supports oneor both of the first and second electronic assemblies.
 11. The cameradevice of claim 10, wherein the first plurality of thermally conductiveparts includes a speaker box thermally coupled to a second surface ofthe first electronic assembly via a thermally conductive sheet, and thespeaker box is configured to absorb and conduct a second part of heatgenerated by the first electronic assembly in accordance with a secondheat conduction path of the first plurality of heat conduction paths.12. The camera device of claim 11, wherein at least part of the speakerbox is made of a thermal plastic material configured to absorb andconduct the second part of heat generated by the first electronicassembly.
 13. The camera device of claim 11, wherein the thermallyconductive sheet is made of graphite.
 14. The camera device of claim 11,wherein: one or more antennas are attached to an exterior surface of thespeaker box and contained within the housing; the thermally conductivesheet includes a cut substantially near a center of the thermallyconductive sheet; and the cut has a width that is less than a thresholdcut width thereby reducing crosstalk among the one or more antennasbelow a threshold crosstalk level.
 15. A passively-cooled camera device,comprising: a lens assembly; a housing that encloses the lens assembly;a plurality of electronic assemblies enclosed in the housing, includinga first electronic assembly and a second electronic assembly, whereinthe first and second electronic assemblies are disposed proximately toeach other within the housing, and the second electronic assembly issubstantially sensitive to heat, including heat generated by operationof the first electronic assembly; and means for creating a firstplurality of heat conduction paths to conduct heat generated by thefirst electronic assembly away from the second electronic assemblywithout using a fan, wherein the means for creating a first plurality ofheat conduction paths mechanically supports one or both of the first andsecond electronic assemblies and is coupled between the first electronicassembly and the housing.
 16. The passively-cooled camera device ofclaim 15, wherein further comprising: means for creating a secondplurality of heat conduction paths, wherein the means for creating asecond plurality of heat conduction paths is coupled between the secondelectronic assembly and the housing, and includes a mount structureconfigured to support the second electronic assembly when a firstsurface of the second electronic assembly sits on a front-facinginterior surface of the mount structure, and wherein the mount structureis configured to at least partially absorb and conduct heat generated bythe second electronic assembly in accordance with a third heatconduction path of the second plurality of heat conduction paths. 17.The passively-cooled camera device of claim 16, wherein: the means forcreating a second plurality of heat conduction paths further includes afront thermal dissipater attached on a front interior surface of thehousing and opposite the front-facing interior surface of the mountstructure; the mount structure is thermally coupled to the front thermaldissipater via one or more third thermal pads; and the front thermaldissipater is configured to at least partially absorb and conduct theheat generated by the second electronic assembly in accordance with afourth heat conduction path of the second plurality of heat conductionpaths.
 18. The passively-cooled camera device of claim 17, wherein afront portion of the housing is covered by a cover glass, and the frontthermal dissipater is attached to the cover glass.
 19. Thepassively-cooled camera device of claim 17, wherein the mount structureis disposed in contact with the front thermal dissipater, and thermallycoupled to the front thermal dissipater.
 20. The passively-cooled cameradevice of claim 17, wherein the second electronic assembly includes animage sensor array, and the lens assembly is disposed in the mountstructure in alignment with the image sensor array.